I read with interest what is happening between DAP and PKR in Sarawak on the seats allocation. The tussle over which party should contest in which constituency is still on amid the election date, 8th March 2008 is just around the corner. I quote Borneo Post :

“With no signs of a compromise coming, both parties are glaring at each other, itching for a face off in Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Lanang, Sibu, Sarikei and Miri.”

On one hand, they want rakyat to support the opposition and to deny BN a 2/3 majority this upcoming election, but they are not united enough for that. Coming from Sarawak myself, a proud and kick-ass Sarawakian, this is my lousy 2 cents.

Generally, people in Sarawak treat any party from the Peninsular with caution. It is hard for them to put their support behind any peninsular based party. Yes it sounds weird but it is true. Hence you don’t have MCA in Sarawak, but Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) to represent the Chinese. (SUPP claims to represent all race, but in reality majority of their members are Chinese, just like Gerakan here in Peninsular), Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), the now-defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) — now known as Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) (four of the big shots formed the new party the very same day PBDS was de-registered) to represent other races in Sarawak – Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Malay etc. These are the coalition parties, representing the Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN). On the opposition side, you have Democratic Action Party (DAP), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and some other parties not worth mentioning. (LOL!)

Of all these, you can see that PKR, DAP and PAS are the three Semenanjung (Peninsular) based opposition parties. (Yes, you don’t have UMNO, MCA, Gerakan or MIC here in Sarawak). With exception of DAP, PKR and PAS are regarded as outsiders for many Sarawakians. One of the reason probably they are fairly new in Sarawak, I guess? Well, just treat Sarawak as another small country where any party from outside will be treated with cold response. Hence you never see UMNO or any other main coalition parties from Peninsular opening any branch in Sarawak, they just leave it to the Sarawak BN to divide and rule. Yes, divide and rule, the proven, tried and tested strategy to ensure political survival for race based parties in Malaysia.

Just look at how Umno leaders talk about the Malays. MCA politicians raise Chinese issues. Indian politicians do the same for the country’s minority Indians. It is pretty much the same in Sarawak, too bad. But note that Sarawakians are well known for their closeness between races. Only the scumbags politicians fond of stirring shits to ensure racial consciousness is there. Every Malaysian must be reminded that he/she is Chinese, or Indian and not Malaysian. We all know it to well, grown up to know how our politicians are fond of making racial statements.

Where and when do we put a stop to this? Sad to say, the situation will stay that way for a long time to come. Unless of course, we de-register all race-based parties and prohibit politicians from raising altogether racial and religious issues.

Back to the PKR vs DAP issue, seriously they have no idea how stupid it looks like. They are asking voters to throw a support behind the opposition and give BN a run for the money, but with unresolved issue like this how are they going to pose a serious challenge against BN? If the negotiation between the two opposition parties failed, a three-cornered fight would be on the cards, and I seriously doubt if the opposition will be able to win any seat by doing that.

How arrogant and stupid, they are not united as they should be, all of them are thinking of how to optimize the number of seats they win regardless of whether they may be considered outsiders or not. I know this is partially due to the fact that they are aware that many Malaysians (read = Sarawakians) at least are pretty intent on ensuring that BN doesn’t secure the majority, and all parties want to ‘lead’ the opposition, which is really dumb. BN must be laughing their ass off at the antics.

I want to tell this to PKR, especially to State PKR liaison chief Dominique Ng. (Wow! Who am I heh??)

People on the street do not want PKR to represent them in the opposition. They do not trust any party from Peninsular to represent them, and many still suspicious of Anwar Ibrahim. PKR will just jeopardize the chance of the opposition of securing any seats in Sarawak by insisting to contest together with DAP. Yes, maybe PKR think Malaysians will vote for any opposition party as long as it is not BN this upcoming election, but in Sarawak it is a very different story.

PKR must aware of that in weighing their decision to contest. Please do not create any 3-corner fights, or else it is a waste of time and effort for people like me that has been telling all the people around me to put the support behind the opposition. It is suicidal for PKR and DAP to go for a three-cornered fight against the BN, which they are bracing to do in Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Lanang, Sibu, Sarikei and Miri. Leave it to DAP, take into consideration of DAP six-seat victories in the last State election when PKR only won one seat, in Padungan. It is pretty clear don’t you think??

A thoughtful post indeed. I do honestly think that DAP will fare better in those urban seats than PKR and it is best that PKR allow DAP to contest directly with BN for those seats. It is quite obvious that the public prefers DAP to PKR in those areas. PKR should contest the rural seats instead.

–> I wonder if they go to the street and ask the public, do their research before deciding on the seats allocation. It is obvious for us, but not for them?

true indeed dude. If you asked me also I would rather not pick PKR because of the outsiders thingy. I think a lot of Sarawakians look at Sabah as something to ponder – Referring to the case where UMNO enters Sabah.

Fair enough, the goal is the same .. deny 2/3 of the majority and in this case not to let BN rule again at least minimize the number of seats won by them. I think it is the best that DAP take the lead instead of PKR. I personally PKR is lacking in credibility in the eyes of Sarawakians. By all means, please consider it.

You don’t want to be looked like shit, believe me .. That’s the last thing that you would want to be.
–> exactly dude. how’s Bintulu this coming election dude? Any politician promises to bring TV3 to Bintulu again? Damn, I couldn’t remember how long they promised that already. Lucky Sarawakians mostly use Astro and ‘Parabola’ (illegal satellite dish) heh? 😀

Dominique Ng must come to his senses. PKR has no support outside of Kuching. If the national leadership can see the light, drop Dominique. Anyway the state BN will want him as the state liaison man. He is after all playing the role of the BN inside man helping them hahahahah.

We just have to remember that political parties are political parties and politics within and without each parties are similar to any other parties. Whatever it is, for a disjointed opposition to unite is something easier said than done.

Thats said, I agree with the view that PKR should leave it to DAP to contest in URBAN*(Chinese) areas.

One must feel that one day, a new political party without the baggage of PKR, DAP or PAS needs to arise to challenge BN.

–> let’s hope for that day to come, shall we? 🙂 thanks for dropping by and leaving some comments josh!

Wah! Nak jadi political analyst rupanya??? Hope not like the one in the how-u-spell-the-name Alantuya case??? LOL! Well, what do you think if STP organises a party? Sure landslide victory kan? Too bad the only party STP can organise is the one where everybody stuffs their faces with food, and they booze and boogie all nite long!!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

–> ah, i forgot to reply you suituapui? hahaha! you think i can be a political analyst? i don’t go around blow people lah, especially pretty girls. I let them ‘blow’ me. ROFLMAOWMLITH!! suituapui, your party sounds like fun. got orgy fest? haha!

As I was rereading this post, it brings me to thinking – why should there be an “outsider” mentality within us? If we are talking about a non-Sarawakian contesting a seat in Sarawak (which I am not sure whether it is allowed under the election rules), then perhaps it could be argued that he is an “outsider” and does not understand local needs (unless again he has been residing in Sarawak for years). If we are talking about political parties, then I think it should transcend boundaries as political parties’ ideals are the same, regardless who their representatives are.

–> You are right pablo. Personally i really don’t have problem with ‘outsiders’, after all we are all malaysians. If you notice this ‘outsiders’ mentality not only among Sarawakians, but people in Peninsular too when it comes to politics. I guess we need more time for Malaysians to see a bigger picture, that we all are the same. We are all Malaysians. If our country is going down the drain, we all in this shit together. If our country is prosperous, we all enjoy and share the benefits. We all wish for a better Malaysia, that is what matters.

Very bold post. Me, being a Sarawakian, a Kuching-nite, more specifically, love my country somewhat, my state more, and my city the most. I agree with what you say. Opposition parties must first and foremost set aside their difference, and not take personal agendas to heart.

I say DAP all the way! (I’m old enough to vote, but I don’t know how to. I’m currently living in Russia…)

–? check with the nearest Malaysian embassy man. But if you are working there, I don’t think you can vote. Yes, how stupid is that. They only allow government servants and JPA sponsored students, I heard. Thanks for dropping by man 🙂

An interesting read…
Now if only politics can always be so clear-defined like what you’re saying here (meaning I get what you’re saying) maybe I’d be more “involved”. Mostly, politics to me is something I barely understand, thus my lack of interest in it.

–> if barely understand, then ask questions and do some research. politics affect our everday’s life, it’s not so hard to understand when you want to.. one only need to have the initiative to do it. if one awares how much his/her life is actually affected by politics, then i doubt he/her will have no interest in knowing more. i have no interest to wake up everyday and work 9-5, but i still do it 🙂

I think that DAP should give the Stampin seat to PKR. We should have a strong opposition by having a blend of opposition party. I am very alarmed and I will be voting in Stampin and seeing the stupidity of these parties, I know for sure BN will win in Stampin…. Well too bad for us then…. but let us see….–> yeah, stupid opposition wasted this chance to fight with all might against Barisan. Believe me, total votes for DAP and PKR combined this election will be more than BN, then they should regret for both getting nothing from this fight.